Jaipur Deaf School Students Stage Protest Over Poor Facilities, Alleged Harassment

More than a hundred students from Government Seth Anandilal Poddar Senior Secondary School for the Deaf staged a sit-in outside the school's main gate on JLN Marg in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The protest was triggered after a piece of plaster fell from a classroom ceiling and struck a student, raising serious safety concerns. Fearing further incidents, students left their classrooms and demanded immediate action.

Students List Six Major Demands

The six primary allegations raised by the students included harassment by a staff member, poor dormitory conditions, and inadequate instructional facilities. They claimed they were not receiving enough food and that the hostel’s hygiene facilities were in an appalling condition. They also alleged that they were charged for transportation to the hospital and for making phone calls to their parents.

The students further claimed that the school, which is the largest government school in Jaipur for students with speech and hearing impairments, lacked instructors proficient in Indian Sign Language. According to reports, they alleged that some teachers frequently skipped classes or used their phones instead of teaching. They also accused a male employee of harassing female students and expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the school’s restrooms.

Due to their inability to speak or hear, the students conveyed their complaints to the administration through written messages, banners, and sign language. 

Student Protest Draws Political Attention

Members of a spiritual organisation who had visited the school for a scheduled meditation session said the students’ body language reflected their distress. The protest soon turned political, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tikaram Jully visiting the school.

After meeting the students, Gehlot urged the state government to intervene.